Prefabricated building



Jan. 11, 1938. A T, V 2,104,869

PREFABRI CATED BUILD ING Original Fi led Oct. 22, 1955- 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Jan. 11, 1938. T, LEVY PREFABRI CATED BUILDING Original Filed Oct. 22,1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 1 I, 1938. A. T. LEVY PREFABRICATED BUILDINGOriginal Filed Oct. 22, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet s Fri-Min Jan; 11, 1938-. A.T. LEVY PREFABRICATED BUILDING Original Filed Oct. 22, 1935 5Sheets-Sheet 4 U m I w 4 Jan. 11, 1938. A. T. LEVY PREFABRICATEDBUILDING Original Filed OC'ZL. 22, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 in br lII|I.Ir1.

Patented Jan. 11, 1938 PATENT OFFICE.

2,104,869 PREFABRICATED BUILDING Austin '1. Levy, Harrisville, It. I.

Application 58 Claims.

My invention relates to prefabricated buildings. It has heretofore beenproposed to make prefabricated buildings of va'rious forms of panels orslabs and then to assemble these panels or slabs to form the walls andother parts of the building. Such prefabricated structures have,however, been impractical for various reasons. .Thus', certain of thesame have not possessed the necessary thermal, weather proofing orwearing qualities adapting them to practical use. Others have been ofsuch construction or materials as to require such an expensive structureor expensive assembly as to bring the cost of the completed building farabove practical limits. Still others have been of such characterasinherently to require the completed building to be so unsightly orcheap or standardized in external or internal appearance as to compareunfavorably with standard built structures. Such panels formed in alarge part of plastic materials and having outer and inner faces formedcompletely on thepanels before the assembly of the latter, also havebeen such as to require not only an abnormally long and expensiveprocess of manufacture of the panels but also unduly expensive andextensive equipment to make the panels, including various molds and thelike. This latter type also has presented marked difliculties as regardsassembly and connection of the several panels into a wall, while alsorequiring the use of slow and expensive methods of assembly. Moreover;due to their excessive weight of from four hundred to five hundredpounds, not only are the panels excessively expensive to ship to thepoint of erection but the extensive use of hoists is required to handlethe panels during as sembly and place them with nicety in theirrespective positions in the building. As a result of these variousdefects and others wellknown in the art, smallprogress has been madetoward the development of practical prefabricated buildings adapted tosupply the need for markedly less expensive buildings capable of beingmanufactured on a low cost production basis and shipped at small costand inexpensively assembled.

My invention has among its objects to provide an improved prefabricatedbuilding. Further, its objects include the provision of a building,which, while having the desired thermal, weatherproofing and wearing.qualities, is also capable of being manufactured at a cost substantiallyless than heretofore, and is also capable of being erected with markedlyincreased facility and speed and with markedly less cost. A furtherobject of my .vantages of the plastic type panels heretofore -of theillustrativehouse constructed in accord- October 22, 1935, Serial No.46,156 Renewed October 7, 1937 invention is to provide such an improvedbuilding utilizing panels of an improved structure and which may be bothinexpensively and quickly manufactured and assembled with a minimum ofspecial equipment. Stillfurther objects of my 15 invention are toprovide such an improved building and such improved panels, that it ismade possible to produce a building, which, while having the aboveadvantages and obtaining the ad- 10 proposed, also eliminates all,needfor the use of heavy panels or the use of hoisting equipment inconnection therewith. Other objects of my invention include improvementsmaking possible, in addition to the above advantages, a markedlyattractive completed structure capable of wide variation in exterior andinterior finish and design. These and other objects and advantages of myinvention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear. 20 In theaccompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration certainembodiments which my invention may assume in practice, the same beingillustrated, for facility of illustration, in connection with a singlestoried house. However, it will be understoodthatmy invention in certainof its phases is in no wise limited to use in such a structure and thatthe same may be embodied in multi-storied houses and also in buildingsof various other types, such, for example, as apartment houses andindustrial and other buildings.

In these drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an outer corner 35ance with my improvements, the same being shown as of a stucco type witha, shingle roof and with the various constituent wall panels or unitsindicated in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the corner ofthis house, with the outer stucco broken away to expose the adjacentcorner panel units more clearly and with'portions of these unitslikewise broken away to facilitate i1- I lustration;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a side wall of my improved constructionincluding the supporting and connecting means and with portions of theend panels and of the connecting means therefor and a part of the outercement or stucco coating 50 broken away to facilitate illustration;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the units used in thepanels, as this unit appears prior to applying thereto either the outerstucco coat or the inner plaster coat, i. e. in the form in which theunit is shipped and assembled, the same also being shown with the outerreenforcing wire broken away to facilitate illustration;

Fig. 5 is an edge view of the unit shown in Figure 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the upper left-handcorner of the unit shown in Figure 4;

Fig. '7 is a like enlarged detail of a portion of the unit shown inFigure 4, and showing the attachment of the rods and reenforcing wire tothe insulating material forming the base or body of the unit;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 88 of Figure '7, showing a portion ofthe unit, but with the inner and outer plaster andstucco coats dottedthereon;

Fig. 9 is a like sectional view of a. coated portion of a unit on line9-9 of Figure '7;

Fig. 10 is a View similar to Figure 8, showing a. form of unit adaptedfor inner partitions or the like and having plaster on opposite facesthereof;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Figure 8, showing a modified constructionutilizing only a single metal reenforcement Fig. 12 is a detail planview, showing a fragment of an expanded metal reenforcement which may beused on one or both of the faces of' the unit;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view on line I3I3 of Figure 3;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view on line I l-I4 of Figure 3;

Fig. 15 is a detail sectional view on line I5|5 of Figure 3;

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Figure 14, showing a modified construction;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the foundation structure shown inFigures 1 and 2, with the super-structure removed and the bottom beamsin place;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view ofthe corner of the building shown inFigure 1 with certain parts broken away to expose the several panels andtheir edge enclosing and connecting means and the roof supportingstructure, a portion intermediate the top and bottom of the corner beingomitted to facilitate illustration;

Fig. 19 is a. view similar to Figure 18 but at a point to the right ofthe corner shown in Figure 1, certain parts also being broken away tofacilitate illustration;

Fig. 20 is an enlarged detail view of the portion of the structure abovethe foundation and at the left of the corner shown in Figure 1 andbetween the corner and the window illustrated therein, certain parts ofthis structure also being broken away to facilitate illustration;

Fig. 21 is a view similar to Figure 20 but with the panel and flooromitted to show the steel- Fig. 22 is a detail view showing one of theinner partitions in section and its connections to and support by thefloor beams and the floor, and

Fig. 23 is a detail section of a modified corner metal frame structure.

In the illustrative construction, it will be noted that I have shown inFigure 1 a portion of a building made up of a plurality of panels,generally indicated at I, with the same assembled to form the Walls ofthe building and connected between a concrete foundation Zand a roof 3,herein illustrated as a shingle roof of the gable type; the panels Iherein being all covered. with.

. jacent panel I in like manner in an external covering or surface ofcement, such as'stucco or the like, and being of an improvedconstruction and assembled and connected in an improved manner andsubsequently coated externally with stucco d and internally with plaster40., all as will hereinafter more fully appear.

Referring generally to Figure 1, it will be noted that each wall of thebuilding illustrated comprises a series of panels I, each disposedvertically and edge to edge with another panel, while the several panelsare united to form walls without any externally visible connections, theentire outer surface of the walls being of stucco or like externalfinish, illustrated at i. Further, it will be noted that the panels I inthe walls below the eaves are all of the stame story height and Width sothat each may be a duplicate of the other and that the wall may beassembled prior to coating by merely assembling a series of such panelsI edge to edge between the roof support and the foundation 2. Further,it will be noted that certain panels, herein, for example, thosecarrying windows 5, are special panels in that each has a window settherein, the construction of these special panels not being claimedherein but in my copending application Serial No. 89,959, filed July 10,1936. .The panels I above the roof supporting structure, thoughotherwise of the same structure, are of such special shape as to enablethe gable end wall between the ceiling and the roof to be formed of oneor more of these special panels so connected to and cooperating with theother panels and the roof supporting structure and the roof as to form acomplete end wall.

Referring more particularly to the panel structure and first consideringthe same as used in a side wall, it will be noted that such a wallincluding a complete panel unit is shown in Figure 3 with theconnections of the panel to the foundation and roof structure and withits connections to adjacent panels. These connections include edgeconnecting means which will hereinafter be more fully described.However, at this time, its is believed sufiicient merely to note that inthe form shown herein the panel is supported and received in uprightposition with its bottom edge in a bottom channel fi-constituting alower plate member and its'top edge similarly received in an oppositelydisposed top channel 1, constituting an upper plate member and that thebottom channel 6 extends clear across the end or side of the house ontop of the foundation 2. while the top channel I is similarly disposedand supported along the roof linge. Further, it should here be observedthat between each vertical panel I and the next adjacent. panel, areversely grooved connecting channel or stud member 8 is provided andsuitably connected, as by welding, at its bottom and top in the bottomchannel or sill 6 and top channel or plate I. that the panels I, whenfree from their external inner and outer plaster and stucco surfaces,form units which may be inserted singly between the channels 6 and 1 andhave a connecting channel or stud 8 inserted and positioned between thechannels 6 and I in such position as to position one unit and be readyto receive the next adthe assembled relation illustrated.

This general structure and-method of assembly is repeated in principlethroughout the building, both in connection with the outer walls and theinner or partition walls. Also, it will be Thus, it will be evident andexternal walls.

have been thus assembled, the inner and outer surfaces of plaster andstucco are applied thereto in such manner as to produce smooth internalBefore specifically considering the panel connecting means including thechannels '6, l and 8 between the panels and the mounting means of thesechannels more in detail, or considering further detail in connectionwith the foundation structure or the roof structure,it is, however,believed to be important first to note more in detail the structure ofthe panel units in the. form in which they are manufactured,. shipped,and assembled during the erection of the building.

From Figures 4 to 9, showing a side wall panel,

the structure of these units, which, while the units may be of differentshape, is preferably used in all units, will clearly appear. As shown,each unit includes a body formed of thermal insulating materialpresenting a board-dike center 9 on which the remainder of the unitisassembled. This member 9 may be formed of various materials which areadapted to be produced in board form, and which have the desired thermalqualities, while also preferably being of minimum weight. Although othermaterials may be used, one material which I find well adapted to mypurposes is a compressed spruce wood product known commercially asInsulite. A board of this material which is relatively thin has thedesired thermal qualities. Thus, for example, a board one inch thick isfound adequate for use on outside panels under average conditions,although I do not in any way limit myself to this thickness as the samemay be varied as will hereinafter appear. A board of this materialfurther acts as a satisfactory support or frame upon which to build myimprovedunit, while being so light as to enable the completed unit to bereadily handled and placed in position by one man. In practice, I preferto use a board comprising a single thickness of this material but, ifdesired, the board 9 may comprise a plurality of thicknesses of the samesuitably attached together to form a laminated board. Also, if desired,the board 9 may be suitably coated or impregnated with fire-proofingmaterial to increase the fire resistance characteristic of the panel.However,

in viewof the fire resistance provided by my improved structurehereinafter described, including particularly the inner and outerplaster and stucco coats and the reenforcing means provided between thesame and the inner board 9, such further fire proofing of the boarditself is ordinarily unnecessary. In'certain instances, I also cover theopposite faces thereof with building paper, illustrated at 9a, which maybe of any suitable or usual type including aluminum coated paper orso-called foil sheetings adapted to prevent the entry of moisture whilehaving high thermal insulating qualities, and also attached to the boardin any suitable manner as by a suitable adhesive, or even nailed orstapled thereto or held thereon by the'rods' l9.

Upon this board 9, which may, in practice, vary in width, as desired, tomeet particular circumstances, and over the paper 9a if used, I providereenforcing means adapted to receive and clinch the inner and outerplastic coats mentioned which, are applied after the unit is assembledin the building. Herein, these reenforcing means include reenforcingrods III, herein of substantial cross section and strength and adaptedeffectively to prevent buckling orlateral bending of the board 9 andpreferably spaced along the vertical side wall unit board 9 by suitableintervals, herein extending longitudinally, i. e. vertically, of eachside of the board in parallel relation to one another, as illustrated.Note also that herein each end ll of each rod extends slightly beyondthe top and bottom edge of the board 9. Further, it will be noted thatover these rods ill I dispose suitable sheets of metal reenforcing andcoating anchoring material, such as the usual woven wire l2 shown inFigures 6 and "7, or, if desired, expanded metal, I3, shown in Figure12, and attach these sheets and the rods III to the board 9 by suitableconnecting means. In a preferred construction, I may use suitablegalvanized wire netting such as shown at l2 on both the inner and outerfaces of the board comprised in the unit, or I may use only galvanizednetting I2 on the external or weather face thereof, or ordinary expandedmetal l3 on one or both faces or galvanize this metal if desired.

As a connecting means, it will also be noted that while various forms ofconnecting means may be provided for connecting the rods I on oppositesides of the board 9 to one another and also connecting the wirereenforcements I2 or I3, I preferably utilize a common connecting meansfor all of these elements. Herein, these means include a connecting wirel5 extended through suitably punched or otherwise formed adjacentparallel apertures l6 provided in the board 9 at spaced points alongeach rod 10. Thus, with the wires [5 originally in U-form, one may bereadily projected from one surface'of the board 9 on opposite sides ofone rod It on that face and through the wire reenforcement overlyingthat rod, until the open end of the U extends out through the oppositeface of the board and on opposite sides of the rod thereon and throughthe wire reenforcement on that face. Then, by merely suitably twistingthese extended or open ends of the wire, as indicated at II, it ispossible securely to fasten the parts together in the single twistingoperation.

' Here attention is further directed to the fact that as a result of thespacing of the reenforcing sheets I 2 or I3 from the board 9 by the rodsI9, space is provided between each sheet and the board over each sideface of the latter. Also, space is thus provided at the several edges ofthe unit to receive the channels 6, 1, 8. Further, in a preferredconstruction, a protruding edge I8 of the wire reenforcement l2 or l3extends laterally beyond the right and left edges of the side wall board9 shown in Figure 4, in such manner as thus to provide a substantialoverlap at the side of each unit adapted to overlie the correspondingprotruding edge It! on the next laterally adjacent unit. By reason ofthis overlap it will be observed that not only is a strong reenforcementprovided between adjacent units when the same are assembled, but whenthe plaster and stucco coats are applied, effective clinchposition shownherein. /Thus, it is adapted to. have its upper and lower-edgesreceivedin the top channel I and bottom channel 6, respectively, ,whileits vertical edges are receivable in the reversely grooved connectingchannels 8 between adjacent units. Moreover, it will be noted that theunit thus formed is exceedingly strong, due not only to the provision ofthe spaced rods II) but also to their connection to the board 8 and theconnection of both the rods and the inside and outside wirereenforcements l2 and I3 to the board. Here attention is also directedto the fact that by using these reenforcement sheets l2 or l3 with thesame spaced from the board 9 on each side of the latter, it is madepossible for the outer and inner coats of stucco and plaster not only tobe securely attached or anchored to the unit but further materially toincrease the strength of the structure in which such units are embodied.

In next considering the structure and arrangement of the channels 6, Iand 8 and their mounting so as to receive and connect the several unitsdescribed,'attention is directed to Figs. 36, 13 to 15 and 19.

As shown in these figures, it will be noted that the bottom channel 6 isseated directly upon the top of the concrete foundation wall 2 with itsU arms extending upward and its bottom suitably connected tothe wall 2,as, for example, by angle bolts 28, suitably embedded in the wall 2 andhaving nuts 2| fixing the members 6 thereto, any suitable number of suchbolts 28 being provided. Here also, it will be observed that at pointsopposite the bottoms of the several rods ID the side walls of themembers 6 are provided with bent down extensions 22, preferably adjacentthe bottom thereof, having suitable perforations therein through whichthe extremities ll of the rods l extend into suitable apertures 23formed in the upper surface of concretefoundation 2. Thus, the members 6provide notonly a support for the panel units but these channels 6 areinterlocked with the units through the rodends I I and the perforatedlugs 22 on the channels in such manner as effectually to prevent lateraldisplacement of the panels, while the upstanding flanges of the channelsextend between the wire reenforcements l2, l3 and the opposite faces ofthe board 9 .in such manner as to enable both the plaster and stucco tobe very firmly united or clinched to the unit after the latter has beenthus placed in position in the wall.

Referring next to the channels 8, it will be noted that each of thesemembers, as shown in Figs. and 19, is of substantially H shape andformed of two like members corresponding in shape to the members 6 andplaced bottom to bottomand suitably connected, as, for example, bywelding or riveting. After one panel unit has been placed in the channel6, one of these channels 8 may be inserted at its lower end into channel6 with one half of the member 8' enclosing the adjacent edge of theboard of said unit and the other half of the member 8 extendingoppositely to receive the edge of the next panel unit. Further, with theoverlapping portions l8 of the wire reenforcement lying over the exposedside walls of the member 8, it will be evident that when the plaster andstucco coats are applied, the same will be very effectually bonded tothe underlying structure over an area extending the full width of thechannel 8 and with the overlapping portions l8 spaced from the outermetalportions of the channel 8 in such manner as also to enableeflectivefclinching or anchoring of the cementitious material.

Herein, as shown in Fig. 20, it will be noted of the other.

that the channels 8 are also fixed near their lower ends, as by shortangle blocks 8a, to the upper ends of upstanding means, herein in theform of floor beams 24, which are in turn supported on the concretefoundation wall 2 on the.centers of the studs 8 inside the member 8 andfixed to the wall 2 by bolts 24a similar to the bolts heretoforedescribed. Thus, with these beams connected to the several channels 8along opposite side walls near the foundation line, it will be evidentthat the side walls will,

be efiectuallysupported during the remainder of the assemblyof the frameof the building, while of course being made rigid when the outer andinner plastic layers are applied to the reticulations associated withthe units and their retaining channels. Further, it will be noted thatthe reenforced floor structure, herein including a usual metalreenforcement such as metal lath 25, or l3, lying on the tops of thebeams 24 with a usual light brush coat 28 thereon and an upper concretefloor 21 subsequently poured thereon, further'serves to support andstrengthen the frame and also the side wall structure to which the floorstructure is, of course, connected at the edges of the latter.

Further, it will be noted that the member 7 is of the same generalconstruction as the member 8 but inverted, and that the same is providedwith corresponding lugs 22 adapted to receive the projecting ends ll ofthe rods 58, all in such manner as further to interlock and strengthenthe structure, while positioning the units stably in the desireduprightposition when these channels I are attached at the roof line inthe positions shown in Figs. 3 and 19.

As regards the support of the upper channel 5,

it will be noted that, as shown in Fig. 19, a joist or channel 28likewise of H shape and similar to the channel 8 but disposedhorizontally, instead of vertically, is carried on the top of thechannel 1, a plurality of such channels 28 being supported on theseveral members 7 and connecting the same as shown in Fig. 18. Further,note that the adjacent edges of the corner panels are enclosed inupright corner studs, herein in the form of con nected channels 29 and30, each similar to channels 6 or 1 but without lugs 22, and receivablevertically in the channels 6 and 7. As shown, these corner channels 29and 38 are disposed with their channeled portions or grooves at rightangles to one another to receive the adjacent edges of corner unitsdisposed at right angles to each other, see Fig. 18. The manner in whichthe channel members 29 and extend into the lower and upper channelmembers at the corner of the building is shown in Fig. 18. Herein, thesechannels 29 and 30 are suitably connected together as by welding orriveting the bottom of one to one side With the several channels 28disposed in suitable laterally spaced relation over the top channels 1,it will be evident that a rigid structure will be provided connectingthe several top channels 1 and maintaining the several panel units inthe desired relation. Also it will be observed that through the use ofequally spaced rods II) on the panels 9, and the use of studs Bandcorner studs 29 and 38 similarly spaced from the reenforced portions ofthe panels i. e. directly over the rods which thus, in effect, formsupplementary studs intermediate the panel studs. Further, with theupper end panel units l above the channels I at the end of the structureshown in Fig. 1, disposed in channels 3|, similar to the channels 6 andsuitably fixed to the top of the channels 28, while inverted roofsupporting chan nels 32, corresponding to the channels I, are suitablyfixed to and braced on the channels 28, it will be evident that theseupper end panels will also be securely fixed in position insubstantially the same manner as the lower side' wall panel units.

.Referring more in detail to the ceiling and roof structure, itwill benoted that the channels 28 provide oppositely disposed grooves 33-adapted to receive narrow ceiling units, not shown, generally similar tothe uni-tsused in the side walls and with: or without'reenforcing rodsII) as desired,

which units are adapted to be located in these channels while also beingeffectually bonded togather and to the channels 28 by the cement and/ orplaster coats similar to those used on the upright walls. As regards theroof structure, attention is further directed ,to the fact that hereinupturned channels 34, generally similar to the downturned channels 32and suitably fixed to the tops of the latter, form roof joist supportsdisposed at a suitable angle to the channels 28 and are suitablyconnected thereto by bolts 35 and stirrup members 36 suitably fixed tothe-ends of the channels 28. Accordingly, with joists 31 disposed inthese channels 34 and attached by bolts 35, with any desirable overhangfor the eaves extending beyond the bolts 35, these joists may be coveredin a usual manner with roofers 38, which in turn may be covered withusual shingles 39 illustrated, although obviously the particular roofsurface may be varied as desired. No claim is made herein to theparticular roof structure shown in Figures 18 and 19, this being claimedin a divisional application Serial No. 129,091, filed March 4, 1937.

A suitable construction for internal partitions is shown in Fig. 22.Here, it will be noted that the beams 24 carry the fioor 25, 26 and 21heretofore described and are connected by angle blocks 40 to uprightchannels 4|, corresponding to the channels 8, and to channels 42. -Herethese channels 4B are used to connect the adjacent partition unitsseated in bottom and top channels 42, of which only the bottom channelis shown, and which are generally similar to the channels 6 and 1 usedwith the outer wall units as heretofore described. It will also beunderstood that where it is desired to have the fioor poured before thepartitions are placed, suitable anchor bolts, such as the bolts 20, maybe embedded in the floor and used to anchor the channels 42 thereto inthe same manner in which the channels 6 are' atboards used in thesepartition units, and further,

if desired, ordinary ungalvanized expanded metal lath, such as I3; gFig.12) may be used therein as the reenforcementson both sides of thepartition units since these are not exposed to the elements. No claim ismade hereinto the particularpartition structure shown herein, the samebeing claimed in my copending application Serial No. 161,268, filedAugust 27, 1937, a continuation in part of my application Serial No.89,960, filed July 10, 1936.

In constructing the building in accordance. with my improvements, thefoundation wall 2 is first poured, preferably with suitable provision inthe molds for providing apertures for the ends ll of the rods in of thevarious units and also preferably with the holding bolts or members 20,24a,

embedded in the concrete in the proper positions. Then, the beams 24 arelaid and connected and the members 6 fixed in position. Thereafter, theseveral panel units, which are shipped to the point of erection prior tocoating,.i. e. in the condition shown in Fig. 4, are placed in theassembled relation to their several lower and side edge nels 8 beingfixed to the beams 24 by the angle blocks 8a. After the frame, walls,and partitions have been thus built up and the top channels 1 have been,placed in position and suitably connected, the roof supporting structureas heretofore described, may be erected. The reenforced cement floor maybe put in after the walls are assembled, and, after this floor hasbeen'poured, the inner and outer plastic layers may be applied to theseveral units in such manner as to unite. the same and provide a unitarystructure. However, in a preferred form, the flooris poured before thewalls are assembled and the interior par-' titions are placed, theanchor bolts 20 for the channels 42 being embedded in the concrete as itis poured in order to provide means for securely tying the interiorpartitions to the floor. Here, of course, it will be understood that theabove outlined general procedure may be varied, but it will also beunderstood that an important point is that the walls of the building,and if deenclosing channels previously described, the chan-,

sired, the partitions and ceilings, are assembled from the lightuncoated units and connected in their various channels, and that then,after this assembly, these units are coated on their opposite faces insuch manner as to produce in efiect an integral structure.

'As a result of my improved construction, it is made possible to reducethe expense of prefabricated buildings very substantially. For example,as compared with suchprior buildings of which I am advised, it ispossible to produce a substantially equivalent building and in manyrespects a better and more attractive and saleable building, whilevreducing the cost by onethird to one-half. Further, it will be notedthat the, structure and methddemployed are such as I to enable myimproved prefabricatedbuilding to be adapted to quantity production andto markedly quick manufacture and erection. Thus, while utilizinginexpensive materials, if desired the needed panel units and the varioussteel frame elements, including the beams and light steel channels maybe made up at low cost in quantity at the factory and shipped to thepoint of erection asneeded while unassembled and veryinexpensively,while all are adapted to be readily and quickly assembled at theselected site upon completion of the foundation thereon. As a result, itwill be observed that all necessity for the manufacture and shipmentfrom the factory of heavy panels is eliminated, since all of the sand,cement, plaster, etc. and--other.-bu1k materials may be obtained locallyif desired or. shipped in bulkt to the fact that the building is furthercapable of being erected without requiring any special panel handlingequipment such as hoists. Mo eover no substantial quantity of specialwork is required during erection of the super structure on thefoundation, all of the various frame members and units being capable ofbeing suitably marked or'identified at the factory so that the erectioninvolves only a simple assembly operation. This, under adequatesupervision, also can be carried out by relatively unskilled labor quitequickly, easily, and satisfactorily without the use of specialequipment. bers may be readily and quicklyplaced in position andconnected, largely by wrench work or welding, and the several units maybe manually fitted therein during assembly, all without requiring heavylifting, due to the light character of the individual steel framemembers and of the units. It will also be particularly noted that, dueto the application of the, outer and inner stucco and plaster coatsafter the 'frame work and units have been assembled, and particularly tothe improved bonding or clinching" of these coats to the units madepossible by my improved construction, it is made possible to minimizethe difficulties due to cracking or settling, heretofore incident to theuse of completely molded and coated units connected together afterassembly. Further, it will be evident that with the inner and outercoats of plaster or cement applied after the assembly of the frame andunit struc ture in the building, itis possible not only to obtain widevariation in the internal and external finish" but also, to vary theexternal appearance within wide limits, as, for example, by usingexternal timbers located in any appropriate design or arrangement on theframe work relative to the external stucco. Attention is furtherdirected to the wide variation in arrangement of the fioor plan madepossible while utilizing the several units in the walls and partitionsand using the connecting and supporting frame means herein described.These and other advantages of my improved construction will, however, beclearly apparent to those skilled .in the art.

It will be evident that in my improved c'onstruction, various featuresof the same may be .modified in various respects while continuing toobtain the above advantages. Thus, :for example, instead-of the corneredge enclosing channels 29 and 30 shown in Figure 18, I may, if desired,use the corner construction shown in Figure 23 and similarly locate itin the channels '6. In Figure '23 it will be noted that while channels45 and 46 are arranged to'extend at right angles and receive the edgesof-the adjacent units as in the construction shown in Figure 18, thechan-- nel 46 is disposed laterally relative to the channo] 45, while anadditional channel 41, more shallow than either of the channels 45 or'46, is also used. This channel 41, as illustrated, abuts the bridgingportion or'webof the channel and is so disposed that its flanges orU-arms extend out flush with the surface of the outer flange of thechannel 45, whilethe web or bridging part of this channel 46* alsoextends to a point sub-' stantially midway vertically of the channel 45.In this construction, which is especially adapted to use where areenforced corner is desired for Thus, the several frame memany. reason,it will be evident that the same will have, when the several channels45, 4B and 41 are suitably united, additional strength due to theprovision of two double thicknesses .of metal at right angles to. eachother and to the additional outer vertical edge stn'p all provided bythe channel 41 in this arrangement.

4 Here it will also be evident that this structure is adapted toeffectual bonding, with the wire of the several units extended asnecessary over the metal at the edges thereof, while the space-betweenthe arms of the channel 41 may also be utilized for cement. In Figure16, I have also shown a modified construction usable in connection withthe bottom and top channels 6 and 1, if desired, in lieu of thatillustrated in Figure 14. In this construction, it. will be noted that achannel 48 is provided which is wider than the channel 6, and that thischannel 48 extends up outside the .rods l0. These, in turn, areprojected through apertures 49 in the bottom of the channel 48 intosockets or apertures 50 in the foundation 2,

corresponding to the apertures 23 heretofore de-' scribed, while themetal reenforcement comprising the wire l2 or exparided metal l3 extendsdownward outside the vertical flanges of the channel 48. Such aconstruction, it will be noted,

eliminates the necessity for providing the lugs 22 on the channel whiledefinitely positioning the panel against lateral displacement throughtheengagement of the opposite sides of the rods with the faces of thepanel and the inside surfaces of the channel, and permitting the.anchoringmaterial to be effectively disposed outside the bottom channeland extend down to the foundation in such manner as to provide effectivebonding. In Figure 11, I haveefurther shown a form of unit which, whilenot preferred, may also be used under certain conditions. In this unit,it will be noted that only a single sheet of metal lath l2 or l3 and oneset of rods I0 is attached to. the board ID by the wire I5, the metalrenforcement in this case being applied only on the outer face of theboard. In the use of this construction, it will be understood that theouter or stucco coat 4 is applied to the outer face with thereenforcement thereon as heretofore described, while the inner orplaster coat 4:; is applied to the inner face of the board 9, and thatpaper 9a is used on one or both sides of the board, or omitted, asconditions require. This construction also is not preferred, by reason'of its omission of the second reenforcing sheet andcooperating rods andthe consequent loss of clinching effect, as well as the manufacturingand assembling complications incident to the use of the specialstructure with only one set of protruding rod ends H, but the same maybe used under certain conditions. It will also be understood thatbetween the plaster 4a and the board 9, a reenforcing sheet l2 may beinserted if desired in this construction and directly connected to theboard without using rods I0 therewith. Here attention is also directedto the fact that, where the dimensions of the building require, thoughnot shown, suitable Lally? columns may be used within the foundation 2in scribed several embodiments which my invention may assume inpractice, it will be understood that the same are shown for purposes ofillustration and the invention may be modified and embodied in variousother forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of theappended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a prefabricated building, a wall frame presenting a plurality ofpanel apertures, panel units assembled therein each comprising a wallboard of story height positioned at its edges by said frame, said unitsbeing in side by side relation and having on an outer-surface thereofexternal anchoring sheet material overlying said boards and a frameportion between said units, and a coating of cementitious materialclinched by said sheet material and uniting said units.

2. In a prefabricated building, a metallic wall frame including plateand stud members presenting a plurality of panel apertures, insulatingwall boards of story height having their upper and lower edges engagedand positioned by the plate members and their side edges engaged andpositioned by the stud members, said stud members spacing apart theadjacent edges of said boards, coating anchoring sheets applied tofacesof the boards and laterally overlapping exposed per-.-

tions of-said stud members, and a coating an-' chored by said sheets andextending over the boards and the exposed portions of the studs andcovering the interveninglateral spaces between the boards.

3. In a prefabricated building, a metallic wall frame including plateand stud members of which the former are of channel form, wall boards ofstory height having their side edges spaced apart and positioned by saidstud members and positioned at their upper and lower edges in thechannels of the plate members, anchoring sheets applied to faces of theboards and overlapping the stud members, and a coating extending overthe boards and the spaces between them and anchored by said sheets.'

4. In a prefabricated building, a metal wall framework includingchanneled plate members,

channeled stud members inserted into and connected to said platemembers, and wall panels of storyheight having their edges engaged inthe channels of the plate members and stud members.

5. In a prefabricated building, a wall frame having members includingdouble channel studs presenting a plurality of laterally adjacent panelreceiving apertures, panels of story height within said apertures eachhaving its side edges positioned in channels of adjacent studs andhaving a coating anchoring sheet applied to a face of the panel, saidsheets overlapping exteriorly the flanges of said studs, and a coatingon said sheets covering said panels and" said studs. I

6. In a prefabricated building, a wall frame having a channeled platemember, spaced stud members, a wall panel in said frame positioned bysaid plate member and stud members and extending into the channel of theplate member, and reenforcing means carried by said panel at a facethereof including reenforcing rods having end portions positioned bysaid plate member.

7. In a prefabricated building, a wall frame comprising plate membersand stud members forming a panel aperture, a panel of storyheight Vmembers whereby said panel is positioned against inward and outwarddisplacement, anchoring sheet material applied to said panel over saidrods, and coatings anchored by said sheet material.

- 8; In a prefabricated building, a wall frame having a plate member anda panel aperture, a panel in said aperture adjacent said plate member,and reenforcing means carried by said panel at a face thereof andincluding rods projecting ---endwise beyond the panel and engagingsockets in the plate member whereby the panel and plate member areinterlocked.

9. In a prefabricated building, a wall comprising panel units, a channelmember disposed between said units and having channel portions receivingthe adjacent edges thereof, coating anchoring sheets on said unitsoverlying the flanges frame, and a coating anchoring sheet spaced fromsaid board by said members.

11. A building comprising a foundation wall, horizontal channel membersfixed to said wall and forming a corner, vertical channel members seatedin said horizontal channel members at the corner and having theirchannels or grooves at right angles to each other, wall panels havingedges engaged in thechannels of the horizontal and vertical channelmembers and carrying coating anchoring sheet material overlying saidchannel members and panels, and a coating extending over said panels andsaid channel members and anchored by said sheet material.

12. A building comprising a foundation wall, horizontalsill membersfixed to said wall and forming a corner, vertical channels rising fromsaid members at the corner, and wall panels carrying at their facescoating anchoring sheet material, saidvertical channels includingchannel members receiving the adjacent edges of the panels and overwhich the sheet material is latlerally extended and a third channelmember located at the corner secured to each of the last mentionedchannel members.

along the foundation adjacent the ends of the beams, channeled studsadjacent the .ends of the beams extending at their lower ends into thesill, wall panels having lateral edges received in said studs and loweredges received in said sill, a floor supported by said beams above thelower ends of said panels, and means adjacent the upper portions of thebeam ends and connected to the studs at points spaced above their lowerends for bracing the studs.

'14. In a building, a foundation wall, beams provided with upper flangesand having their ends supported by said wall, a light channeled sillmember supported by said wall and extending across and in front of thelower portions of the beam ends but below the upper portions of saidends, channeled studs within and rising from said sill member, panelsengaging the channels of the sill member and studs, a floor fitsupported by said beams, and members connected to the upperfianges ofsaid beams for bracing said studs.

15. In a prefabricated, building, the combination of superposed tiers ofpanels, the panels of the lower tier being of story height, and a wallframe in which said panels are. set for positioning the same includingan intermediate member at substantially the ceiling level having adownwardly facing channel receiving the upper ends of the lower panelsand an upwardly facing channel receiving the lower ends of the upperpanels.

16. A building comprising a foundation, a channeled sill membersecuredthereto, wall panels comprising boards with upright reenforcing rodsapplied to the faces thereof set in said sill with portions of said rodswithin the sill member, and coating anchoring sheet material applied tosaid boards over said rods and extending over the sill member at thesides thereof.

17. A building comprising a channeled plate member, and a wallpanelcomprising a board with upright reenforcing rods applied to oppositefaces thereof set Within said member with portions of the rods withinthe side walls of the member in substantial contact therewith.

18. A building comprising a foundation, a channeled sill securedthereto, and a wall panel comprising a board with upright reenforcingrods applied to opposite faces thereof set within the sill with portionsof the rods within the sill and engaging the side walls thereof, thelower ends of said rods extending through the bot tom of the sill intosockets in the'foundation.

19. In a building, a wall panel having upright reenforcing rods appliedto opposite faces thereof, and a channeled member receiving one edge ofsaid panel and having said rods disposed within the channel thereofbetween the panel body and the side walls of the channeled member, saidrods having outer surfaces substantially in engagement with the innersurfaces of the side walls of said member. I

20. A building structure comprising a corner stud presenting cooperatingconnected channels disposed at right angles to each other, panelsreceived in said channels, and plate means overlying the upper end ofsaid stud and fixed thereto, said panels having external anchoringsheets extending over said channels, and a coating over the panels andstud anchored by said sheets.

21. A building structure comprising a corner stud presenting cooperatingconnected channels disposed at rightangles to each other and a channelat the corner of said stud, panels of story height received in the firstmentioned channels, plate means overlying said stud and fixed thereto,sill means underlying said stud and fixed thereto, coating anchoringsheets applied tosaid panels and extending over said channels, and acoating over said panels and stud anchored by said sheets.

22. A building comprising a foundation, a sill on the foundation at oneside thereof, a plurality of wall studs at the last named side of thefoundation connected at their lower ends to said sill, and upstandingmeans associated with the foundation at the last named side thereof andconnected to said studs at points above their lower ends to brace thestuds.

23. A building comprising a foundation, beams on said foundationextending to a side of the building, a sill extending along thefoundation adjacent the ends of said b'eams, a plurality of wall studsat the last named side of the foundation supported at their lower endson said sill, means for connecting the beam ends to said foundation, andmeans adjacent the upper portions of the beam ends for connecting saidbeams to said studs.

24. In a building, a foundation wall, a sill on said wall, a pluralityof upstanding studs comprising oppositely disposed channels having innerand outer flanges and disposed on said sill at spaced points along saidwall, and beams having ends supported along said'wall on the centers ofsaid studs and having a bracing connection to said studs.

and a cementitious coating over the panels; and

stud anchored by said sheet means.

26. In a prefabricated building, a wall frame including a support, acorner stud thereon presenting two cooperating connected channelsdisposed at right angles to each other in alignment with angularlyrelated walls and a third channel at the corner of said stud, andangularly related plate means fixed to the upper end of said stud,panels forming adjacent angularly related walls disposed under saidplate'means and having their proximate edges received in said angularlyrelated channels, anchoring sheet means extending over the channels ofsaid corner stud and the adjacent panels, and a cementitious coatingover the panels and stud anchored by said sheet means.

27. In a building, a wall comprising spaced studs having oppositelydisposed channels, wall panels between said studs having bodies whoseedges are seated in opposite channels, coating anchoring sheet materialextending over the panels and studs and spaced therefrom, and coatstoryheight in'said spaces, means extending over a the panel faces ofadjacent panels and a stud member therebetween for anchoringcementitious material, means for positioning the upper'ends of saidpanels with respect to said 'upperplate member, a wall supportingstructure, and means for positioning the lower ends of said panels withI respect to said supporting structure.

29. In a building, a wall comprising a plurality of spaced studs havingoppositely disposed channels, panels between said studs having bodiesreceived at their edges in opposing channels, external coating anchoringsheet material extending over the studs as well as over the'panels andspaced therefrom, a plate member extending above said panels and engagedtherewith toprevent lateral dislocation thereof, and a coating appliedto and clinched by said sheet material'at each face of the wall.

30. In a building, a wall comprising a plurality of studs, panels ofstory height between said studs, upright reenforcing rods applied to thefaces of said panels, positioning means for said panels engaging theupper end portions of said rods, and

. said panels and overlapping said stud and alsoother positioning meansfor said panels engaging the lower end portions of said rods.

31. In a building, a wall comprising spaced studs having oppositelydisposed channels, wall panels of story height having bodies whose edgesare received in opposing channels, upright reenforcing rods applied tothe faces of said panels, coating anchoring sheet material applied tothe panels over said rods and spaced thereby from the panels, a platemember connected to said studs andoverlying said panels and engagingsaid rods, means for positioning the lower ends of said panels, andcoatings applied to opposite faces of the wall and anchored by saidsheet material.

32. In a building, a stud having oppositely disposed channels, panelshaving bodies whose edges are received in said channels, coatinganchoring sheets applied to and spaced from the faces of overlappingeach other over the, stud, and coatings applied to and clinched aroundsaid anchoring sheets and covering the panels and stud;

33. In a building, a wall including a support,

a plurality of channeled studs thereon, wall panels supported onsaidsupport and interposed between said studs, an upper plate memberextending over said studs, and means including locking rods fixed tosaid panels for interlocking said panels with said plate member.

34. In a prefabricated building, a wall structure comprising a metalframe including studs and a plate member cooperating with said studs topresent panel apertures between said studs, panels in said apertureshaving edges positioned by said studs and by said plate member; and loadsupporting structure carriedby said wall struc-' ture and includingjoists fixed to said plate member and disposed over studs on oppositesides of said panels for'relieving the load on said panels.

35. In a prefabricated building, a wall structure comprising a metalframe including channeled studs and a channeled plate member cooperatingwith said studs to present panel apertures between said studs andhaving. an upper load supporting surface, panels in said aperturesincluding panel boards having edges positioned by said studs and by saidchanneled plate member, and load supporting structure carried by saidsupporting surface and including joists supported on the load supportingsurface of said plate member and disposed over studs'on oppo-- sitesides of each panel for relieving the load on said panels.

36. In a prefabricated building,- a wall structure comprising a cornerframe including a channeled corner stud and channeled, cooperating studsspaced from said comer stud and angu- -larly related plate memberscooperating with said studs to present panel apertures on difierent'sides of said corner stud, panels in said apertures having edgespositioned by said studs and by said plate members, and a load' carryingstructure of the panels disposed beneath said other plate member.

37. In a prefabricated building, a wall structure comprising a metalframe including channeled studs and a plate member cooperating therewithto present panel apertures, panels in said apertures having their edgespositioned by said studs and carrying reenforcing and anchoring materialspacing rods positioned by said plate member, and load supporting meanscarried by said wall structure. and having means including' joists fixedto said plate member and disposed over said studs for relieving the loadon said panels, and co-operating intermediate joists disposed over theupper ends of said rods.

38. In a prefabricated building, a plurality of wall frames havingmarginal portions presenting panel apertures, said frames beingoperatively connected and disposed in a wall, panels in said apertures,and reenforcing means having spaced reenforcing elements for said panelscarried thereon and extending across the junction be-' tween saidframes.

39. In a prefabricated building, a plurality of wall frames havingmarginal portions prasenting panel apertures, said frames beingoperatively connected and disposed in awall, panels in said apertures,and reenforcing rods for said panels carried thereon and extendingacross the junction between said frames, said frames being disposed oneabove another and said reenforcing rods being vertically disposed. 25

tending across the junction between said frames,

said marginal portions including studs and transverse connectingmemberstherebetween and said reenforcing means comprising spaced rodspositioned by said transverse members at the top of one frame and at thebottom of the other and extending across the intermediate transversemembers.

42. In a prefabricated building, a plurality of wall frames havingmarginal portions including channel studs and transverse channel membersconnecting said studs and presenting panel apertures, said frames beingdisposed one above another in a wall, panels in said apertures andhaving their edges disposed in said channeled studs and members, andreenforcing means for said panels carried thereon and extending acrossthe junction between said frames, said reenforcing means comprisingspaced rods positioned by the upper transverse channel member of oneframe and the lower transverse channel member of the other and extendingacross the junction between said frames.

p 43. In a prefabricated building, a gable structure comprising an endwall frame having marginal portions, a gable roof supporting wall framehaving marginal portions and connected to and disposed above said endframe, panels in said frames positioned by" said marginal portions, andreenforcing rods carried by said panels and extending across thejunction of said frames.

44, In a prefabricated building, a gable structure comprising an endwall frame having marginal portions, a gable roof supporting wall framehaving marginal portions and connected to and disposed above said endframe, panels in said frames positioned by said marginal portions, and

also having intermediate ginal portions, a gable roof supporting wallframe.

having marginal portions and connected'to and disposed above said endframe, panels in said frames positioned by said marginal portions, andreenforcing means carried by said panels and extending across thejunction of said frames, said marginal portions comprising channelmembers and said reenforcing means comprising rods having their remoteends positioned by the channels at the top and bottom of differentframes and portions connected to the junction of said frames.

46. ;In 'a building, a Wall comprising a plurality of panel boards ofstory height in laterally associated relation to each other, a lightmetal frame work including lower and upper plate members and studsextending between said members, said studs being located between saidboards and positioning their lateral edges, said plate memberspositioning said boards at their upper and lower edges, coatinganchoring material applied to said boards and extending over said boardsand studs at opposite faces of the wall, and coatings an- .chored'bysaid material.

47. In a prefabricated building, a frame comprising lower and upperplate members and interposed studs forming a plurality of panelapertures each extending from the lower to the upper plate member andfrom one stud to an ad-' :iacent stud, and panels comprising insulatingmaterial set within the respective apertures and carrying reenforcingelements in positioning engagement with said plate members, coatinganchoring material applied to said panels, and a coatinganchored by saidmateriaL. I

48. In a prefabricatedbuilding, a frame comprising lower and upper platemembers and interposedstuds forming a plurality of panel apertures eachextending from the lower to the upper plate member and from one stud toan adjacent stud, and panels comprising insulating material set withinthe respective apertures and carryin reenforcing elements extending overfaces thereof and provided with portions adjacent margins of the panelsin positioning engagement with said plate members, coating anchoringsheet material carried by said panels and disposed oversaid elegents,andia coating anchored by said sheet marial.

49. In abuilding, a wall comprising a plurality of panel boards of storyheight in laterally associated relation to each other,each of saidboards having applied to opposite faces thereof coating anchoring sheetmaterial, a light'metal framework including lower and upper platemembers and studs extending between said members in the plane thereof,said studs being located between said boards and having oppositelydisposed pairs of flanges positioning their lateral edges,

said plate members positionifig' sa'id boards against inwanif andoutward displacement at 5 their upper and loweredges, the coatinganchoringlmaterial extending over said boards also being extended oversaid-studs; and coatings at the oppositefaces oflahe wall anchored bysaid ma- 7 terial.

50. :In a building, a wall comprising a plurality of panel boards ofstory height in laterallyassociated relation to each other, each of saidboards having applied to opposite faces thereof coating anchoring sheetmaterial, a light metal framework including upper and lower platemembers and studs extending between said members, said studs beinglocated between said boards and p0- sitioning their lateral edges, saidplate members positioning said boards at their upper and lower edges andat least one of said plate members being in the form of a channelreceiving ends of said studs and horizontal edges of said boards andover which said sheet material is extended, and coatings at the oppositefaces of the wall anchored by said sheet material 51. In a building, awall comprising a plurality of laterally associated panel boards ofstory height, upright reenforcing rods applied to opposite faces of saidboards, coating anchoring material applied to opposite faces of saidboards,

from the board faces by said rods and having por-Q tions extending overthe sides of said plate member, and coatings-anchored by said sheetmaterial.

53. Ina building, a wall comprising a panel board of story height havingreenforcing rods applied to its opposite faces and extending adjacent ahorizontal edge thereof, a plate member in the form of a channelcooperating with said board and rods adjacent said edge in positioningsaid board, coating anchoring sheet material spaced from said board bysaid rods, and coatings anchored by said sheet material.

54. In a building, a wall comprising a plurality of laterally associatedpanel boards, a horizontal channeledv frame member receiving horizontaledges of said boards, upright channeled frame members extending intosaid first channeled member and receiving lateral edges of said boards,coating anchoring sheets carried by the boards and having marginalportions extending over said horizontal member and said upright members,and a coating anchored by said sheets.

55. In a prefabricated building; a wall comprising a plurality of panelboards of story height and a light metal framework including lower andupper plate members and studs extending between said members, said studsbeing located between said boards and positioning their lateral edges,

- said plate members being constituted by channels I prising a pluralityof panel boards of story height reenforcing rods applied to oppositefaces of said boards and having portions adjacent the upper and lowermargins of the boards, coating anchoring sheet material spaced from theboar d faces'by said rods, a metal framework inv eluding lower and upperplate members and" studs extending between saidv members, said platemembers being constituted by channeled elements receiving the adjacentedges of the boards and portions of said rods, said elements likewisereceiving the end portions of said studs, said studs each havingchannels receiving lateral edges of adjacent boards, said anchoringsheet material extending over said studs and over the plate members, andcoatings at opposite faces of the wall anchored by said sheet material.

57. A wall unit for prefabricated buildings in which wall panels arepositioned within frame apertures formed by upper and lower platemembers and interposed stud members, said unit comprising an insulatingpanel board of story height having upright reenforcing rods applied to0pposite faces thereof and provided with end portions adjacent the upperand lower edges of the board for engaging the plate members, and coatinganchoring sheets for anchoring coatings at opposite sides of the wallspaced from the board faces by said rods and having marginal portionsadapted to extend over the stud members and plate members.

58. A prefabricated building including a foundation presenting a wallsupport, beams supported on said wall support, a frame on said wallsupport providing wall panel receiving apertures and including a bottomchannel member fixed to said support and studs comprising reverselydisposed vertical channels having their lower extremities extendingwithin said member between adjacent apertures and having portions abovesaid extremities fixed to the ends of said beams, and wall panels havinglower edges received in said channel member and side edges received inthe stud channels.

AUSTIN T. LEVY.

